Sweat / Moisture Activated inks (hydro-chromic?)

[Atownsend]

I have one of our customers asking me for ink that prints clear, and is activated by sweat (Similar to ViewSport?). Matsui makes a hydrochromic ink, but it kind of does the opposite of what I need the ink to do. I found one ink (SFXC) that looked like it would work, but it is sold in the UK. Anyone know where I can find something comparable in stateside? Does anyone have experience printing with this (or similar) type of ink?

[Rob Coleman]

I have one of our customers asking me for ink that prints clear, and is activated by sweat (Similar to ViewSport?). Matsui makes a hydrochromic ink, but it kind of does the opposite of what I need the ink to do. I found one ink (SFXC) that looked like it would work, but it is sold in the UK. Anyone know where I can find something comparable in stateside? Does anyone have experience printing with this (or similar) type of ink?

Good morning!  Actually the INK is not activated and change color - rather the cured ink film is hydrophobic (repels water).  therefore, when the garment gets wet (sweat), the fabric discolors EXCEPT where the ink film is.  Take a look at the attached.

I have no seen any commercially available product that is TOTALLY invisible when printed and cured, but I could certainly be wrong.  I looked closely at the ViewSport product, and it is invisible.  Actually, I don't think it is a standard screen print process, but again, I could be wrong.

MagnaColours has a product - Resist Paste - that will work.  however you can see the image somewhat.  Works pretty well on grey/heather colored fabrics.  See the attached pics.

You could also play around with any water repellent like Thompson's Water Seal or a fabric protector......

[blue moon]

I have one of our customers asking me for ink that prints clear, and is activated by sweat (Similar to ViewSport?). Matsui makes a hydrochromic ink, but it kind of does the opposite of what I need the ink to do. I found one ink (SFXC) that looked like it would work, but it is sold in the UK. Anyone know where I can find something comparable in stateside? Does anyone have experience printing with this (or similar) type of ink?

Good morning!  Actually the INK is not activated and change color - rather the cured ink film is hydrophobic (repels water).  therefore, when the garment gets wet (sweat), the fabric discolors EXCEPT where the ink film is.  Take a look at the attached.

I have no seen any commercially available product that is TOTALLY invisible when printed and cured, but I could certainly be wrong.  I looked closely at the ViewSport product, and it is invisible.  Actually, I don't think it is a standard screen print process, but again, I could be wrong.

MagnaColours has a product - Resist Paste - that will work.  however you can see the image somewhat.  Works pretty well on grey/heather colored fabrics.  See the attached pics.

You could also play around with any water repellent like Thompson's Water Seal or a fabric protector......

could you print this on the inside and remove the visibility factor?
If you need me to, I can test that if you send me a pint. . .

pierre

[Rob Coleman]

Pierre - email sent.   

[Atownsend]

Wow!

The resist paste looks to be pretty close to what I'm looking for. I don't see it for sale on the Nazdar / Source One website. I would also love to get a sample pint to test with on different color garments. Printing on the garment inside out sounds like it would work to reduce the appearance, but I'm wondering if the hand would be annoying once printed on the inside. Although it can't be too terrible if it is waterbased. Some testing would definitely be nessesary! I'd definitely be willing to post results.

[blue moon]

thanx Rob!

We have a little bit of history with Nazdar working on new products so we'll do some testing with this. 'few different colors and some heavy washing to see how it holds up. I'll post here what we find.

pierre

[Rob Coleman]

Thanks for your help Pierre!

Atownsend:  This is a special product that we generally do not inventory unless there is a market demand.  Most of the water base products have a more limited shelf life than plastisols, and thus we have to be very careful about expired inventory.  We have one 30kg container in the states and that is it at the moment.  Frankly, we just have not had the demand for this product so far.

Email me at the address in my signature your contact information.   might be able to scarf up a kilo sample. Attached is a TDS.  This product is actually designed to print on a cotton fabric, then dye the fabric, and the ink film will resist the dye leaving an image - hence the name Resist Paste.

I think it will be okay on the inside.  As long as it is the only thing being printed.  If you are trying to register up to an image on the outside - good luck!  That is what you see on some of the Viewpsport designs.  For instance, a NO PAIN, NO GAIN graphic, that when wet, reveals two "K"'s and two "W"'s  to say Know Pain, Know Gain.  Also, while the TDS states depositing enough ink so that the dye is fully resisted (110 mesh), in this application, you might very well get by with a thinner deposit through maybe a 160.  Test test.

Also - remember:  THIS IS A WATERBASE product.  Need to fully exhaust the water for the binders to be set and wash fast.

[tonypep]

I have had extensive experience with belt printing the Matsui products but, as been mentioned, it's another animal. Shelf life critical. The company jumped the gun and got stuck 500 gallons of waste product

[Atownsend]

Thanks for your help Pierre!

Atownsend:  This is a special product that we generally do not inventory unless there is a market demand.  Most of the water base products have a more limited shelf life than plastisols, and thus we have to be very careful about expired inventory.  We have one 30kg container in the states and that is it at the moment.  Frankly, we just have not had the demand for this product so far.

Email me at the address in my signature your contact information.   might be able to scarf up a kilo sample. Attached is a TDS.  This product is actually designed to print on a cotton fabric, then dye the fabric, and the ink film will resist the dye leaving an image - hence the name Resist Paste.

I think it will be okay on the inside.  As long as it is the only thing being printed.  If you are trying to register up to an image on the outside - good luck!  That is what you see on some of the Viewpsport designs.  For instance, a NO PAIN, NO GAIN graphic, that when wet, reveals two "K"'s and two "W"'s  to say Know Pain, Know Gain.  Also, while the TDS states depositing enough ink so that the dye is fully resisted (110 mesh), in this application, you might very well get by with a thinner deposit through maybe a 160.  Test test.

Also - remember:  THIS IS A WATERBASE product.  Need to fully exhaust the water for the binders to be set and wash fast.

Thank you so much Rob! I have emailed you. I'll do some testing and post results as well. Looking forward to playing around / testing this ink. Thank you so much for your help! Looks like it could be a big hit with our customers who are always looking for something new and cutting edge.

[mimosatexas]

I've had requests for something like this 3 or 4 times and have talked people out of it honestly.  I'm all for cool effects, but I just think highlighting how sweaty you are isn't a great idea...